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The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (5-2) face the UAB Blazers (4-4) Sunday at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Middle Tennessee vs. UAB odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Middle Tennessee saw its 2-game win streak end on Nov. 24 with an 80-69 loss to the Bradley Braves. The Blue Raiders failed to cover as 5.5-point road underdogs, but the Over 145 hit. Shooting woes plagued the team, especially from beyond the arc, where they went just 6-of-26 (23.1%). Sophomore F Chris Loofe led the team off the bench in scoring with 15 points.
UAB ended a 2-game losing streak on Monday with a 98-86 win over the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. The Blazers covered as 11.5-point road favorites, and the Over 156 cashed. Senior G Alejandro Vasquez led the way with 25 points. UAB dominated the boards, outrebounding Louisiana 41-31, and added 8 steals to secure the victory.
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Middle Tennessee at UAB odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds. Lines last updated at 6:02 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Middle Tennessee +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | UAB -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Middle Tennessee +7.5 (+100) | UAB -7.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 154.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Middle Tennessee at UAB picks and predictions
Prediction
UAB 81, Middle Tennessee 78
Moneyline
PASS.
Tempted to take the Blue Raiders (+240) on the moneyline getting those nice plus odds, but I’ll play it safe and take my wager to the spread.
Against the spread
BET MIDDLE TENNESSEE +7.5 (-110).
UAB has dominated this series, winning 9 of the last 10 meetings since 2019. However, the Blazers have struggled early this season, already dropping 4 games. Their wins lack quality, including one over an NAIA school and another against a 1-7 team. Meanwhile, Middle Tennessee has 2 road wins against teams with winning records, showing they can compete.
The Blue Raiders have covered in 4 of their last 6 games, while UAB is just 2-5 ATS this season. Middle Tennessee narrowly edged UAB 58-57 last year, and senior G Jestin Porter, who had 11 points in that game, is averaging 16.7 points this season. Sophomore 6-foot-11 F Chris Loofe has improved and should match up well against UAB’s leading scorer, F Yaxel Lendeborg (17.8 PPG).
Middle Tennessee has shown resilience and should give UAB another tough test on Sunday.
Over/Under
BET OVER 154.5 (-115).
The Over looks like the play in this game for several reasons. UAB has gone Over in 5 of its 6 games against Division I opponents, while Middle Tennessee has hit the Over in 4 straight matchups. Both teams average over 80 points per game and allow more than 75 PPG, highlighting their lack of defensive intensity.
Their fast-paced styles also favor high-scoring affairs, and the Over has cashed in 4 of their last 5 meetings. With both teams pushing the tempo and minimal defensive resistance, this matchup has all the ingredients for another Over. Expect plenty of scoring in what should be an up-and-down game.
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